Coll 28/97 ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries’ [‎185v] (370/749)

demanded the passing of a labour la w, the prosecution of those who had instigated
the Isfahan disturbances and the official recognition of the Labour Unions.
3. In Meshed on May day more than 2,000 persons took part in processions
and a mass meeting organised by the Tudeh party. The processions shouted
“ Long live Stalin, Lenin and the Red Flag.”
4. Seyyid Zia has given proof, disturbing to his enemies, of the esteem in
which he is held in some quarters by collecting two million rials for the relief oji
sufferers from the Gurgan earthquake. He continues to impress people by the/
forcefulness of his personality if not by his wisdom.
5. In Summary No. 13/44, paragraph 5, it was reported that certain
deputies were demanding the trial of Soheily, the ex-Prime Minister, on charges of
having attempted to influence the elections. These charges have been investigated
by a Majlis Commission which has decided that they are without justification.
Charges have now been made by a Deputy, who is also President of the Majlis,
against Tadayyun of corruption during his tenure of office of Minister of
Supply during the period March 1943 to July 1943.
6! The Shah, accompanied by the Queen and important officials of the
Court, left Tehran on the 6th May for Shiraz. He is to spend a night at Isfahan
and another at Persepolis. In view of the unsettled conditions of the working
classes in Isfahan and of the importance of his Government in Pars, it is difficult
to appreciate the considerations tHat prompted the selection of this time for this
visit or to foresee what effect it will have on the situation at either place. It is
unlikely that Nasir Qashgai will come to Shiraz to offer allegiance, and, since the
Shah’s visit is not likely to be followed by any more vigorous assertion of the
Government’s authority," it may be interpreted as tacit recognition of the status
existing—that is the supremacy in Pars of the authority of Nasir Qashgai.
7. The elections in Tabriz are now finished. Of the nine successful candi
dates only two are from those supported by the Russians.
Persian Forces.
A pfointments — Military.
8—(i) Army. —Sartip Abdullah Hidayet to be Commandant of the Officer
Cadet School in addition to his duties as Under-Secretary of State for War.
(ii) Police. —Colonel Saif to be Acting Director-General of Police vice
General Jehanbani, resigned.
Internal Security.
9. The Prime Minister has appointed a Commission consisting of the
Ministers of the Interior and for War and representatives of the General Staff, to
consider measures for the improvement of security, first in the capital and then in
provincial towns.
Pars.
10. Nasir Qashgai has visited Shiraz for the first time for about two years,
and has called on the Acting Governor-General and on His Majesty’s Consul,
promising to use his influence to maintain law and order in the province. He
returned to the tribe after a stay of a few days.
Khorassan Mekran.
11. In Summary No. 16/44, paragraph 9, attacks on. and robbery of.
U.K.C.C. trucks were reported to have occurred North of Zahidan. Since then,
on the 1st May, in the same area a British military engineers’ truck was fired on
and a Persian officer and his wife travelling by it were wounded. On the 2nd May
a large party of armed Baluch raiders from Afghanistan carried off 150 camels
from°a district South of Birjand. In this case the Persian gendarmerie and
armed locals reacted with some vigour, recovered all the camels and killed three
and wounded two of the raiders. In view of the insecurity prevailing on the
Zahidan-Meshed road the Government of India has sent some mechanised troops
for the protection of Aid to Russia convoys.
Russian Affairs.
12. The Soviet Ambassador, M. Mikailov, has returned to Moscow,
nominally on leave but probably on permanent recall, and has been replaced by his
Counsellor, M. Maximoff, as charge d’affaires. Since his arrival in January very